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Whole Armor of God–Part Two

The Girdle of Truth

Paul, the author of Ephesians, tells us to be girded with truth. Paul referred to a belt that kept a soldier’s weapons close to his body. A Christian’s combat harness is truth. Satan is the enemy and his intent is to kill, steal and destroy. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Satan wants to entangle us, and blurs the values of right and wrong. As Christians we must constantly implement truth in our lives. “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

We find the truth in the Bible and we must know it well enough to find the answers we need in Scripture. The apostle Paul warned us to be wary of Satan’s strategies: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices”. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

The Girdle of Truth is all about knowing the truth and allowing it to change us from the inside out. Truthfulness and a clear conscience will prepare us for Satan’s battle.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate of Righteousness may be thought of as a second skin, protecting us from spiritual assaults by our enemy, Satan.

In 1 Corinthians 1:30 we read “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” When we trust in Him as Saviour, we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. We must commit out lives to be honest and full of integrity to prevent Satan from gaining entry to our hearts. We need to resist Satan with hymns of faith, prayer and rejoicing in the Scriptures.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.” (James 4:7-8).

The verse above from Corinthians mentions sanctification, meaning to be set apart for a specific purpose. We became sanctified when we first accepted Christ as our Savior. Our growth as Christians is ongoing and we’ll wear The Breastplate of Righteousness until eternity.

“In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” (Proverbs 12:28)

The Shoes of The Gospel of Peace

As soldiers of Christ, we need solid footing as we prepare for warfare with Satan. Preparation also means readiness or firmness. We need to stand firm and trust Jesus as we face a battle. The peace that only God provides is our foundation for battle.

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matthew 6:25)

Jesus is with us in the battle of life. He speaks peace to us and provides the foundation on which we fight—the Shoes of Peace.

As we go into battle, it must be apparent to all that we are Christians. The peace of the Gospel protects us. We do not fear, or be anxious or discouraged. Memorizing Scripture—the Word of Peace—will help us to deal with the stresses of life and the battle with Satan.

“Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

When you walk with the Lord and have a decision to make, let your decision be guided by whether or not the Lord gives you peace about the decision. The answer will be yes, no or wait. You’ll know God is ruling your heart and you are ready to put on the Shoes of Peace.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and mind though Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)